HerbalEGram: Volume 14, Issue 4, April 2017

Editor’s note: This video was produced independently by Chris Kilham. Information provided is for educational purposes. The views expressed by all contributors belong to them and do not necessarily reflect the views of the American Botanical Council.

Jiaogulan (Gynostemma pentaphyllum) is a plant in the melon family (Cucurbitaceae), native to the mountains of southern China and northern Vietnam and Korea. Known locally as the “herb of immortality,” jiaogulan is used as an adaptogenic herb for the relief of stress and anxiety and to support the immune system.¹ Jiaogulan contains triterpenoid saponins known as gypenosides, several of which are functionally identical to the better-studied ginsenosides found in plants in the genus Panax, such as American ginseng (P. quinquefolius) and Asian ginseng (P. ginseng), in the family Araliaceae.² In fact, jiaogulan is the only plant outside the genus Panax known to contain ginsenosides.

The first known mention of jiaogulan in Chinese literature was in the 15th century, but as a source of food in times of famine rather than as a medicine.¹ It did not appear in Chinese medical literature until the mid-19th century, when it was mentioned as a folk remedy in southern China to increase endurance and enhance longevity. Modern clinical trials have found that jiaogulan has significant antioxidant activity, enhances immune system function, and reduces LDL cholesterol levels and fasting blood glucose.^1,3

—ABC Staff

References

1. Winston D, Maimes S. Adaptogens: Herbs for Strength, Stamina, and Stress Relief. Rochester, VT: Healing Arts Press; 2007.
2. Liu SB, Lin R, Hu ZH. Histochemical localization of ginsenosides in Gynostemma pentaphyllum and the content changes of total gypenosides [Chinese]. Shih Yen Sheng Wu Hsueh Pao: Journal of Experimental Biology. 2005;38(1):54–60.
3. Jeenduang N, Sangkaew B, Chantaracha P, et al. APOE and CETP TaqIB polymorphisms influence metabolic responses to Hibiscus sabdariffa L. and Gynostemma pentaphyllum Makino tea consumption in hypercholesterolemic subjects. Asia Pac J Clin Nutr. 2017;26(2):368-378.